South Tyneside Council says it is prepared for bad weather this winter

South Tyneside Council has 7,000 tonnes of salt ready to grit roads and pathways to make sure people can keep on the move in the event of a freeze in the borough.

Councillor Moira Smith, the lead member for area management and community safety, said: “Our winter maintenance plan involves working in partnership with our partners to ensure public safety.

“Our teams will work around the clock if necessary to ensure priority routes are kept open.”

The council has a fleet of four gritting wagons as well as six salt spreaders and 30 hand salters for footpaths.

There are also more than 160 grit bins across the borough that are used to help clear footpaths and other areas.

These bins are to help Council staff in their gritting operations and are not for private use.

Councillor Smith added: “We grit major routes and classified roads and bus routes before ice form with the aim of keeping the borough moving and maintaining public safety.

“We must clear the planned priority routes first before we can respond to individual requests.

“We would urge people to be patient as this work is carried out.”

Pavements and cycle tracks are only normally gritted in the event of lying snow with priorities for steps, ramps, shopping areas and schools.

Motorists are advised to take extra care in bad weather.

Go to www.southtyneside.info for more details on gritting routes and grit bin locations.